Sean Spicer’s out. At least we have the memories
Sean Spicer’s future as Trump’s White House Press Secretary doesn’t look good.
He inspired multiple “Saturday Night Live” sketches, and his day-to-day work attracted millions of people. But after about seven months of media banter, Twitter commentary and immortal memes, Sean Spicer has resigned as White House press secretary.
Spicer’s on-camera appearances cut down in June. Addressing his absence, Spicer said President Trump would more often speak directly to the media.
The job of the press secretary is to act as a liaison between the administration and the news media. Although press secretaries of White Houses past have certainly made missteps, Spicer’s tenure has been full of memorable misspeaks and fantastic flubs.
With Spicer gone, take a look back at some of his greatest hits (and misses).
Jan. 21: Spicer kicks off first press briefing with inaccurate statement
“This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration — period — both in person and around the globe,” Spicer said in an impromptu late night briefing, just two days before his first official one was slated to take place. He was wrong.
Spicer addressed what he called fake news in the media and criticized the coverage for downplaying the crowd size at Trump’s inauguration.
March 10: Spicer breaks a federal rule
A longstanding federal rule prohibits executive branch officials from speaking out on jobs report numbers within an hour of their release. Spicer’s excitement got the best of him in March when he tweeted “Great news” just 22 minutes after the report was published.
March 28: Spicer lectures female reporter
When April Ryan, a reporter with American Urban Radio Networks, asked Spicer a question about the investigation into whether Russia colluded with the Trump campaign, Spicer snapped back and accused her of pushing an agenda. He told her to stop shaking her head, which prompted backlash.
The following day, he pointedly greeted Ryan in an effort to make amends.
April 11: Spicer on chemical weapons
Spicer compared Adolf Hitler to Syrian President Bashar Assad, but forgot a key fact.
“You had someone as despicable as Hitler who didn’t even sink to using chemical weapons,” he said. He attempted to clarify, but raised more eyebrows when he fumbled in trying to describe gas chambers and said he was aware of “Holocaust centers.”
He later apologized.
May 11: Spicer and the bushes
After Spicer addressed a gaggle of reporters about former FBI Director James Comey’s firing, the Washington Post reported the press secretary had previously been hiding “in” the bushes.
Spicer wanted a correction: He was “among” the bushes. Not “in” them.
That led to “Garden Spicer” — a cut-out version of Spicer that people could plant among, or in, shrubbery.
May 31: Spicer addresses ‘covfefe’
In his audio-only news briefing on Wednesday, a reporter asked the press secretary to address Trump’s late night tweet that cut off with “covfefe,” and whether people should be concerned. Spicer’s answer left many with more questions.
“The president and a small group of people know exactly what he meant,” he said.
Rest assured, he can still make headlines even when he’s off-camera.
Twitter: @cshalby
ALSO:
Tips for Sean Spicer: Cool down, be truthful and stick to the facts
UPDATES:
July 21, 9:28 a.m.: This article was updated to reflect Spicer’s resignation.
June 20, 9:42 a.m.: This article was updated with the latest on the press briefings.
This article was originally published on June 5 at 1:20 p.m.
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